Terrible Revelations FROM A LUNATIC ASYLUM;

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 174, 29 June 1883, Page 3

Terrible Revelations FROM A LUNATIC ASYLUM;

Fome very serious charges hare been made against the officials connected with the Ararat (Victoria) Lunatic Asylum, by a female recently discharged from that institution, who, it U stated has told her painful story m a perfectly rational manner, and without any appearance of excitement. She states that the only, object she has m publishing the charges she makes is to secure public attention to the terrible sufferings endured by female patients placed m the refractory ward of the asylum, which ward was occupied by herself for a Considerable time. The 'female attendonts are alleged to be frequently drunk, having appropriated to their own use the stimulants ord< red for' the patients, and also that they hate. for their own diet luxuries riot .intended for their use. These attendants are also charged with treating the patients m a most brutal manner, some of the latter bavine; their bodies one mass of bruises from iil-treatmeot. The bach is said to be the place usually chosen for. inflicting punishment on the patien*B, towel-racks and bunches of keys hei'g the instroments usually employed m be» ting them. Those patients who do. rot rise punctually are pulled. from their beds on to the floor by their hair or ears. Some of the unfortunate inn mates were compelled, against their will, . to take large doses of aperientmedicine m order to weaken them, and thus ensure their easy management. In the event of a patient refusing to take, the food, which, as a rule, is badly cooked and dished up, two or three attendants gather round the patient, and, whilst one held her nose, the others would force the food with a spoon down her throat. On one occasion the bpwl of the spoon was actually rammed so far down the gullet of a woman's throat that it had to be forcibly withdrawn, and the withdrawal of the spoon was immediately followed by a terrible gush of blood, and the unfortunate woman subsequently died. The relator named two other women whose deaths she believed to be entirely due to brutai treatment m the asylum/ The principal attendants, the superintendent, and the matron of the institution, it is said, are not. aware of these shameful proceedings, because the attendants are careful to keep them ignorant of what takes place m the wards. No complaints have yet reached the Chief Secretary on the sub ' joct (says an exchange), but he has oommunicated with 'Dr Dick, Inspector^ General of Lunatic Asylums, and if a confirmation of the statements can be obtained an official enquiry will be held.